Arvada volunteers gave 450 hours to 14 local nonprofits

About 150 volunteers turned out on October 12 for the Greater Arvada Chamber of Commerce's third annual Day of Service and put in more than 450 hours across 14 projects. The Arvada Press reported that the day, started in 2024, usually draws about 100 people. This year was the largest yet.

The work matched what the nonprofits actually needed. Darin Kraft, who owns a construction company, brought a crew to Carin' Clinic, a pediatric office, to paint and repair spots he had noticed when a grandchild was a patient. Matt Klieforth of Meritrust Credit Union, the day's title sponsor, took 15 people to A Precious Child to restock the pantry and sort clothes. At Hope Connection and Community, volunteers flipped a children's closet from warm-weather clothes to fall and winter wear. Founder Julia Walker said that help takes pressure off a small staff. Another group swept, pulled weeds, and picked up trash at the Arvada Flour Mill, which caretaker Karen Miller said is run entirely by volunteers. Other stops included Family Tree, BeyondHome, and Mission Arvada. Interim chamber president Kami Welch said the point was to spend a day on the nonprofits that hold the town together.